Southern Weddings

Anyone who has been to South Carolina can attest to the fact that the Lowcountry is easy to fall in love with. Ever since a memorable summer Leah spent in Charleston, she and her family had a hunch that her wedding would someday take place in that neck of the woods! Leah and Tripp met while both visiting their alma mater, Auburn University, and after talking a little, then found out that they both lived in Atlanta and he drove past her street daily. The cherry on top? Tripp is a South Carolina boy, making Leah’s dream wedding destination even more of a reality. The talented ladies of A Charleston Bride (including Haley, whose wedding was featured in V6!) helped bring their sentimental Southern vision to life at the beautiful Brookland Pointe, and Leah and Tripp loved hosting their nearest and dearest there!

Thank you to Tim Willoughby for sharing this sweet day with us!

Tripp and I went to college at Auburn University, but we didn’t meet until after we both graduated. We met on October 23, 2010 after the Auburn vs. LSU football game. I had a hard time finding a place to park for the game, so I decided to park my car by Tripp’s old fraternity house. After the game was over, my friend and I went back to get the car, and Tripp and his friends were there hanging out at the house, celebrating his birthday. Although we had a drive ahead of us, he convinced us to stay and hang out for a little while. Tripp and I began talking, and quickly realized that we both now lived in Atlanta–he actually drove past my street each day on his way to work! After he walked us to our car later that night, he made sure that he had my phone number!

Did you have something borrowed, blue, old, and new? If so, do tell! My something borrowed came from one of my matrons of honor the day of the wedding–a gorgeous hair comb that she had worn in her wedding seven years before! Something old was my grandmother’s diamond bracelet, which had diamonds in a quatrefoil design–so perfect! I wore blue on my garter, which was very special. The garter had two layers of lace, with lave from my mom’s garter underneath, and new lace on top, with the same peach material on the elastic band that my matrons of honors’ dresses were made of. My mom also collected small charms of different Charleston landmarks and had them sewn all around the garter. It is topped off with a small blue bow from her original garter. I’m saving it in case Tripp and I have a daughter one day! My something new came from Tripp; it was a beautiful silver necklace with a square charm on it showing a palmetto tree on one side and a picture of the scrolling gates that you see all around Charleston on the other side! These days, I’m rarely seen without it on!

What made you choose your ceremony and reception venues? Did they have any special significance to you? I spent a summer in Charleston while I was in college, and the memories I made with my roommates there will last a lifetime. I think my family and I always knew that I would get married in a Lowcountry setting someday. Tripp is from South Carolina and spent many summers vacationing on Edisto Beach. Brookland Pointe was the first venue we visited, and we felt like it encompassed all of the elements we both wanted.

Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase, verse or line? We decided to go traditional with our vows. Tripp thought he might have a hard time handling his emotions if we wrote our own. :)
What readings, if any, did you have at your ceremony? We chose Colossians 3:12-17 for our ceremony. We want this to be the foundation on which we build our marriage, and our lives! We wanted our relationship with the Lord to be the focus of our wedding, acknowledging that He was the one who brought us together and we give all thanks to Him!

Our favorite detail of the wedding was: For me, it would probably be the aisle signage we had, with the words from the hymn “How Great Thou Art” painted on them. For Tripp, it would probably be the three types of beer that he brewed and prepared himself, with the help one of his groomsmen and closest friends, for our reception! He had a honey witbier, a blueberry cream ale, and a rosemary IPA. They were all a huge hit! We also were in LOVE with our tent–it was a clear-topped tent with gorgeous peach draping and two wagon wheel chandeliers hanging from the top of it. It was the perfect representation of both of our styles!

What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? We had magnolia blossoms and leaves draped over our seats at the reception, which I loved because I am obsessed with magnolias! Our food was amazing, and undeniably Southern! It started with passed hors d’oeuvres of mini fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese, bacon-wrapped quail, and mini she-crab soups (my personal favorite!). We had the most delicious shrimp and grits I’ve ever tasted, a four-cheese mac and cheese station, and a pulled pork barbecue station with three different sauces–a South Carolina mustard-based sauce, a North Carolina vinegar-based sauce, and a honey bourbon sauce!

Our wedding cake was unbelievable! It was four layers, with a gorgeous spearmint-colored background and a white quatrefoil design on two of the layers, and two white layers. The top and bottom layers were yellow almond cake with buttercream filling. One middle layer was marble with buttercream filling, and the other was sour cream pound cake with whipped cream and strawberry filling. We used quatrefoil as a theme in all of our printed items, so our cake was the sweetest addition!

What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? Our favorite moment was probably our departure, when all of our family and friends threw paper airplanes as we walked down the dock and left on a boat! This was a nod to Tripp, who is finishing up flight school to become a pilot.

Tell us all about the proposal! Tripp really surprised me! One Friday night, after a long day at work, Tripp came over with our favorite Thai food. I noticed that he wasn’t eating much, which was unusual for him, and that we were eating very early. After we finished, he said he hoped I had room for dessert. I was so full, but since it was just a fortune cookie, I had to have one! My fortune read, “Will you marry me, Leah? -Tripp” I immediately asked if this was some kind of a joke–I was completely shocked–but then Tripp got down on one knee, holding my ring!!! Once I realized it was real, I said yes!! He then suggested we go out to celebrate at our favorite spot, JCT Kitchen, where a group of friends and family were waiting to surprise me. In true fashion, I took forever to get ready and dressed, because I had a feeling our friends might be there!
When did y’all get married? April 26, 2014
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? Around 150
Did you decide to do a “first look”? Why or why not? After a lot of consideration, we did decide on a first look! I originally didn’t want to see Tripp before the ceremony, because I love watching the groom’s face when he sees his bride for the first time, but Tripp felt that it would help calm pre-wedding jitters, and it did. We had our first look under some gorgeous trees, and the light was just perfect! I also don’t think it took anything away from when he saw me walk down the aisle–that moment was filled with emotion, and some tears!
Tell us about some of the songs you used throughout your wedding and why you chose them. We stayed pretty traditional with our song choices for the wedding. I walked down the aisle to Canon in D, and then we recessed to Trumpet Voluntary. A dear friend of mine, Sarah Kuhlers, sang a beautiful song, “Captivate Us,” by Watermark, during our ceremony. Our first dance was to a song called “Dancing Shoes” by Green River Ordinance, and is so sweet. Our wedding planner, Haley, actually said it reminded her of us, and when we first listened to it, we knew it was our song! Our band learned it for us, and they nailed it!!
What was one way you saved money or cut costs at your wedding? We cut costs by cutting out things that were not “must-haves” for our day. I was set on a clear tent, so we spent money on that, but other things, like a lit-up sign spelling out LOVE that we would have liked but didn’t need, we ultimately removed.
What is the one detail or vendor that you were so happy to have as a part of your wedding? Our wedding planner, Haley, and the ladies from A Charleston Bride were our best decision! Most of our vendors that were a part of wedding day were recommended by A Charleston Bride. We were over the moon happy about all of our vendors, and because of them, we were able to enjoy our day with the people we treasure the most!
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? I think it’s important to remember that if you do have to remove things to cut costs, those things will never be missed by your guests. They will just be happy to be there to celebrate with you! Invest in a good photographer and videographer because the day really does go by SO quickly, and you will keep your pictures and video for a lifetime!

Photographer: Tim Will / Videographer: Life In Rewind Films / Planner: Haley Kelly, A Charleston Bride / Venue: Brookland Pointe at Brookland Plantation / Florist: A Charleston Bride / Cake Baker: Ashley Bakery / Caterer: CRU Catering / Rentals: Event Works and Snyder Rentals / Linens: La Tavola Linens / Lighting: Technical Event Company / Band: The Root Doctors / Bride’s Gown: “Laren” by Pronovias / Bride’s Getaway Dress: Rebecca Taylor / Paper Products: Smock and Lytle Fober / Bride’s Veil: “V2753” by Pronovias / Bride’s Earrings and Reception Bracelet: J. Crew / Bride’s Brooch: Twigs & Honey / Hair Stylist: Carrie McLeod of Paper Dolls / Makeup Artist: Elina Mille / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: “Laura” and “Julie by Donna Morgan in Peach Fuzz and Spearmint / Men’s Attire: Jos. A. Bank / Day-Of Assistance: Cacky’s Bride Aid

A Charleston Bride is a delightful member of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!

Written with love by Lisa